Themes

Jealousy the first jealousy, sparked by a remark from José Dias (chapter LXII), the horseman under Capitu's window (chapter LXXIII), Sancha's hand (chapter CXVIII), the night of Othello (chapter CXXXV). Memory and the Past the house copied in order to tie the two ends of life (chapter II), the cocada vendor's cry (chapter LX), the past reread after the sentence (chapter CXL), the Matacavalos house that no longer recognizes him (chapter CXLIV). Language and Narration the meaning the narrator gives to his own nickname (chapter I), the scene he cuts in order to be spared (chapter XIV), the omissive books, which the reader fills in (chapter LIX), the two images of the eyes fused into one (chapter CXLVIII). Appearance and Reality the eyes of an oblique and dissimulating gypsy (chapter XXV), the cheerfulness Capitu shows in order not to confirm the denunciation (chapter LXV), the strange expression in Ezequiel's eyes (chapter CXXXI), Escobar's photograph (chapter CXXXIX). Loyalty and Betrayal the oath at the well (chapter XLVIII), the secret traded with Escobar (chapter LXXVIII), the substitute who settles the vow (chapter XCVI), the accusation with no defense (chapter CXXXVIII). Religion the vow of Dona Glória (chapter XI), the thousand Paternosters and a thousand Hail Marys (chapter XX), the vocation that comes with habit (chapter XLI), the ordained orphan in place of the son (chapter XCVI).